The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-11-24
nc pILaRIMsl THANKSGIVING.
How II Was Observed by Direction Of
Governor Bradford.

How II Was Observed by Direction OF
Governor Bradford.
The Pilgrim Fathers landed at Ply.
mouth, as we an know. on Monday, Dec
81, 1920
Under favorable auspices the first har-
vest was gathered With hearts of joy
they secured the bountiful crop OF Indian
corn which had ripened in the fierce heats
OF August and the warm haze of Septem-
her AS they looked on the heaped mp
stores-the first fruits ~ their toll I'm the
new land-their hearts swelled with
thankfulness that the Lord had so merci-
fully cared for them, and that, though
sorely smitten with pestilence. they were
now blessed with health, peace and free
dom from the dread of famine
Mindful of the Providence 20 whom
those blessings were due those stern bold
men were very deyOtionaD. Governor
Bradford proclaimed "a solemn lhanksgiv-
ing feast. and ordered that preparations
should be made for celebrating Il with
such festivities as were in their power
Four men were dispatched into the woods
10 shoot wild fowl. and though the game
had been scanty throughout the summer,
the quartet of sportsmen returned az night
staggering under their burden Of turkeys
geese and pigeons sufficient 10 provision
the entire settlement for a whole week
There was rare labor done by the good
Puritan danes, plucking and dressing the
game, pounding corn and baking 10, get
ting out and polishing the tin and pewter
table services brought from England and
Holland, and scrubblng the wooden
trenchers that served the poorer pilgrims
in lieu of tin Or pewter.
The roar of one OF the great guns on the
hill top announced the commencement Of
Thanksgiving 10 was Thursday. Oct -,
a little less than one year after their ar
rival IN Cape Cod bay. In the different
dwellings and over fires liz in the open air
began the work Of roasting and boiling
When all had assembled the sergeant
stepped forward, and the men, three
abreast. with firearms shouldered,
marched orderly and silently toward the
meeting house Behind came Governor
Bradford IN his long robe Of Office, walk
Ing grayely, as behtted governor ON
his right hand walked the venerable Ed
er Brewster In his preachers cloak, bear
ing the Bible reyerently IN his hands On
the governors left was the military chief
OF the colony, Miles Standish, his heavy
armOr laid aside for a short cloak. his
trusty sword 40 his side, and a small cane
In his hand as n mark of Office. Proudly
he watched the firm tread. sturdy frames
and seryiceable weapons OF the little troop
before him, and was half regretful thar
among the subjects for the days thanks
giving was the blessing II peace with all
the tribes about them. Il was also q pity
so many good muskets should Dc used
only IN shooting wild fowl, so doubtless
he thought. for the sturdy little captain
was as he had said, a man OF war, half of
whose thirty-seyen years had been spent
in knocking about the world as a soldier
Of fortune.
The sermon Of Tlder Brewster was ap-
propriate 20 the OCCASION. Never was be
known 20 preach better discourse or a
shorter one, though IL would be thought
long enough now, particularly If thc
steam OF roasting Meleagris gallopayo
tickled the nOstrils Of preacher and con
gregatIou as IT did them.
IL was a Thanksgiving dinner, and no
mistake about IT, To be sure the tables
were OF the rudest, aid there YVES not
much display, nor were there the many
little delcacies thar can often be found
now on Thanksgiving tables. But tie
turkey Was there in all his glory oi
Drowned skin, rich grayies and palatable
stuiiiing and 80 were number Of other
birds, great and small, roasted and boiled
and baked over the embers. There was
corn bread and hominy and puddings,
and several little nicknacks such as skillful
housewives could make up Of the mate
riaM Vt hand Nor were the tables alto